16
James had returned to the study as soon as his valet had repaired his appearance. He deliberately took the back stairs, they weren't solely for the use of servants, as he didn't want to meet his sister, he wasn't eager to further his acquaintance with his nephews either.
The only person he wanted to spend time with was Sofia even though she was the most aggravating young lady in Christendom. He smiled; it was unlikely there was anyone quite like her as she was unique in every aspect. Whatever she thought about the matter, however much they were at loggerheads, he was more determined than ever to woo and win her.
Usually, his dogs would sense he was approaching the study and be waiting with their tails wagging to greet him when he opened the door. This time they failed to do that. Had they gone outside again? Then he looked under the desk and his heart all but stopped.
Curled up with the dogs like a small child was the woman he loved to distraction. He crept over, patted the dogs and carefully removed her. She stirred a little but didn't wake. There was a small salon connected to his study for his personal use and this would be ideal for her to continue her slumber undisturbed. He pushed the door open with his foot and walked in.
Her hair had escaped from its pins and was half loose around her shoulders. He paused for a moment before he put her down on the sofa, just gazing down at her. She wasn't classically beautiful, wouldn't be considered a diamond of the first water by those in society, but to him she was perfect.
Her dark hair, not quite as dark as his own, was thick and lustrous but soft to the touch. Her lashes were long, her nose straight, her lips pink and kissable. Her eyes were the most startling cornflower blue and he was convinced that if he introduced her into the ton as an eligible young lady then there'd be a flock of gentlemen begging his permission to speak to her. That could not happen. Sofia was his, and he'd give up everything he owned to keep her.
He carefully removed her new slippers and put them on a footstool that he'd moved close to her. What else could he do to make her awakening less distressing?
Ten minutes later he was back with a silver box full of hairpins, a matching mirror and hairbrush. These had belonged to his mother and had never been removed from the room that she'd occupied twenty-nine years ago.
Satisfied he'd done everything he could, he stood watching her for a few seconds. Then confident she was deeply asleep he leaned down and brushed his lips across hers.
'I love you, Sofia, my darling.'
He quietly closed the door behind him and decided he needed a wild gallop across the countryside and would take his dogs with him. He didn't want them nosing their way next door and disturbing the sleeping beauty.
As he approached the stable yard he remembered that both Lucifer and Rufus would still be in the meadow unless the man in charge of his stud had intervened. He'd been worrying unnecessarily, Rufus was in his usual box, his handsome chestnut head turned towards him as if he'd known his master was approaching.
'I'll have him saddled for you in no time, my lord,' one of the stable boys said and immediately ran to the tack room to collect what he needed. Rufus was more biddable in the stable than Lucifer, therefore, no one was wary of working with him as they were with his stallion.
Soon he was cantering away from the house, taking a different way from the one yesterday, one that would take him across miles of open countryside and give him time to clear his head. When the dogs were with him, he took a route where they could cut across the field whilst he galloped around the perimeter ensuring they met when he exited.
On arriving at the yard, he handed his horse over to a groom and paused at the pump to wash his hands and face. A grinning stableboy handed him a relatively clean cloth to dry them on.
'You'll need a bit of a polish on then boots, my lord, I reckon I could do it for you,' the lad said cheerfully.
James presented each leg in turn and even the muck from under his boot was carefully removed. 'Thank you, Alfie,' he said and dropped a small silver coin into his hand. Far too much, but he was in a good humour.
'Excuse me, my lord,' Piper said, 'I need to talk to you about the young gentlemen.'
'I'd forgotten about them. Did you find something suitable?'
'That's the problem, my lord, what would be suitable is old Bessie but what they want is one of your flash geldings. Neither of them can ride – I don't reckon they've been in a saddle more than a couple of times.'
'I wondered if that might be the case. I'll speak to them, and hopefully they'll agree to be taught to ride by yourself. I don't have the time, but I'll do it if I have to. Thank you for telling me.'
He glanced at his gold pocket watch and saw the time to be just after midday. They would be serving luncheon so hopefully he wouldn't meet anyone. He was eager to return to his salon and see if Sofia remained there.
There was a direct route through the side door which avoided having to traverse the hall and he took that. The chamber where he'd left Sofia asleep in had no exit apart from the one that led into his study.
He insisted his staff replenished the water bowls he kept for each of his dogs and as soon as they entered, they were lapping eagerly, thirsty after their exercise. He'd drunk his fill of fresh water whilst using the pump.
The salon door was as he'd left it. Cautiously he pushed it open and caught his breath. She was sitting on the sofa with her back to him brushing her hair. It fell almost to her waist; it wasn't straight but had soft waves making it even more enticing.
Hastily he stepped back and closed the door. Only a husband was allowed to watch a lady brush her hair. He tapped on the door.
'Sofia, may I come in?'
He'd expected her to refuse, but she called out to him to enter. He steadied his breathing and hoped his desire wasn't apparent. Keeping his coat tails firmly in place in front of his unmentionables was going to be difficult. He remained in the doorway but didn't enter knowing that would be wrong.
'James, I'm just about to put my hair up. Thank you for thinking to bring these items to me. We do need to talk. I'm also both hungry and thirsty – if you recall I didn't have time to eat my breakfast earlier.'
